Safety at Christmas time

The holiday period is a high-risk time on our roads. Driver fatigue, distraction, substance use and speed are amongst the most common causes of collision, many of which can lead to insurance claims, injury and in some circumstances, loss of life.

Ways to stay safe

• Leave early. If you allow extra time to reach your destination, there’s no temptation to speed. Plan ahead to beat the traffic. 

• Don’t drink and then drive. Take public transportation, carpool with a designated sober driver, or use a ride share service.  

• Avoid distraction. A text message, Tweet or TikTok reel is not worth your life. Put your phone away until you’re parked and off the road. 

• Consider car insurance. Christmas can be an expensive time of year. While a car insurance policy won’t stop an accident from occurring, it can offer a level of financial protection if your car causes damage to someone else’s vehicle or property.

Christmas lights sure are pretty, but frayed wires, damaged bulbs and other wear and tear can quickly spell trouble. 

Fire safety tips

• Only use Australian-compliant lights. Some offshore online retailers may sell lighting that doesn’t meet Australian safety standards. Look for the regulatory compliance tick, or visit www.eess.gov.au to check if the make/model you’re buying is registered. 

• Check old lights for damage. If you see any signs of fraying, blown globes or other damage, don’t use them. 

• Switch off Christmas tree lights before bed. When battery operated lights are on for too long, they can overheat, creating a fire hazard.

• Don’t overload power boards. Plugging too many devices into a power board can create excessive heat, leading to a fire. 

• Consider home insurance. Depending on the policy you choose, home insurance can help cover the cost of repairing or replacing the structure of your home and/or belongings, if they’re damaged or destroyed by a fire.  

New toys are a highlight for many children at Christmas time, but when it comes to safety, not all are created equal. Here’s what to look out for:

Buying new toys

• Check that toys have been created with non-toxic paints and lacquers. 

• Ensure the toy is age-appropriate (we’re looking at you, new aunties and uncles!) as some toys may have small parts unsuitable for younger children.

• Be wary of toys that light up, make noise, or move. These often contain dangerous button batteries that can present a choking hazard. 

Storing toys safely

• Never mix and match toy chargers, cables or batteries.

• Keep spare batteries in a child-resistant container.

• Store toys operated by a lithium-ion battery in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.

• Only charge lithium-ion battery operated toys in well-ventilated areas and non-flammable surfaces. 

For more information on toy safety and lithium-ion batteries, check out our article on fire safety and selecting safe toys.

It’s not uncommon for thefts — and by extension, home insurance claims — to increase during the holiday season. Whether you’re visiting friends and family or heading away for a longer break, there are some simple precautions you can take to help boost your home’s security.

• Lock up before you leave: check windows, doors, garden gates, garages and sheds are secure. 

• Keep people guessing: if you have a smart home, consider setting up timers on lights, TVs and music appliances to make it look like you’re home.  

• Invest in home security: from motion-triggered lighting to alarms and CCTV, there’s no shortage of theft-thwarting gadgets to choose from. Consider adding one or more to your home to help ward off (or record) intruders.  

• Check your home insurance cover: If it has been a while since you last updated your home insurance, double-check your policy to make sure you’re covered for the things you care about in the event of a break-in.